Saudi Mixed Media Artist Weaves her Art with Carpet Threads

Saudi mixed media artist Fatima Al Nemer.
Saudi mixed media artist Fatima Al Nemer.
TT
20

Saudi Mixed Media Artist Weaves her Art with Carpet Threads

Saudi mixed media artist Fatima Al Nemer.
Saudi mixed media artist Fatima Al Nemer.

Saudi mixed media artist Fatima Al Nemer has introduced innovation to the world of carpets by transforming her art into a celebration of the folkloric image of Saudi women.

A native of the eastern region of al-Qatif, Al Nemer kicked off her career in 1999. Eight years ago, she branched out to carpet inscription where she sought to transfer her art. She specialized in interior design and balanced her life between her studies and artistic talent. Al Nemer first started experimenting with mixed media eight years ago and that prior to that she belonged to the school of classical art.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, she said that she was drawn to carpets because they are present in every home. A carpet is a fixture of a home, and oftentimes, it is a reflection of traditions and culture.

She added that she sought to reflect the rich Saudi heritage in her artworks to shed light on her culture.

“We boast a rich culture and beauty that can be portrayed in unique artworks,” she stated.

Al Nemer has displayed her works throughout the world, such as the Museum of Modern Arts of Sweden and Arab World Institute in Paris. She is now preparing to take part at an exhibition in the Louvre in Paris. One of her proudest moments is US First Lady Melania Trump acquiring one of artworks during her visit to Riyadh in 2017.

Carpets, said Al Nemer, are an expressive medium that recount the development of Islamic art throughout the ages. It is also a medium that allows coexistence with different cultures.

“We are proud of our Saudi culture,” she stressed.

Al Nemer said she tries to add details of the al-Qatif heritage in her art.

“I even tried to mix folkloric myths into my carpets,” she remarked.

On the image of women in her art, Al Nemer told Asharq Al-Awsat: “She always appears to be sending a message.”

She added that a lot of her artwork is a “story about searching for one’s self.”

Prominent in her art are images of women of al-Qatif from the 1950s whereby Al Nemer said she would derive inspiration from tales passed down by grandmothers over the generations.



Saudi Reef Launches Project to Boost Coffee Tree Productivity by 30%

Saudi Reef Launches Project to Boost Coffee Tree Productivity by 30%
TT
20

Saudi Reef Launches Project to Boost Coffee Tree Productivity by 30%

Saudi Reef Launches Project to Boost Coffee Tree Productivity by 30%

The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Saudi Reef), in collaboration with the National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Estidamah), has launched an innovative project to enhance the production of coffee seedlings using tissue culture technology.

The project aims to increase the productivity of coffee trees by 30% and to plant some 50,000 seedlings by the end of 2025, SPA reported.

Saudi Reef Spokesperson Majid Al-Buraikan said the coffee tree tissue culture project has achieved several tangible results. These include the re-evaluation of 82 previously selected genetic patterns, which were consolidated into 12 genetic groups based on morphological similarities. The production of seedlings from cuttings of selected genetic types has also begun, with 1,000 cuttings planted to produce 1,000 traceable seedlings.

Al-Buraikan noted that disease-resistant and drought-tolerant varieties have been developed. Fourteen knowledge products have also been prepared, focusing on advanced techniques and good agricultural practices to improve coffee farms and enhance their productivity.

As part of the project, the technical review of the coffee cultivation guide has been completed, and a book on coffee resources has been prepared as a primary reference for coffee production and post-harvest operations management in the Kingdom.

Four study tours—both domestic and international—were also conducted, with over 109 farmers participating. These visits included experimental fields, demonstration farms, and cooperatives, allowing farmers to learn about modern practices and technologies and apply them to their farms.

Al-Buraikan pointed out that the initiative also included organizing workshops and scientific seminars to train and qualify farmers and stakeholders, covering more than 200 farmers, as well as participating in numerous international conferences, forums, and exhibitions related to the coffee sector to exchange expertise and stay up to date on industry developments.